Abrasive Skin Treatment Device

ABSTRACT

An abrasive skin treatment device including a handle portion, a head portion including an exfoliating element, and a unitary pivoting mechanism providing relative movement between the handle portion and the head portion along at least two planes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This applications is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/045,974, filed Feb. 17, 2016, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. Design patent application Ser.No. 29/552,947, filed on Jan. 27, 2016. These applications are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a skintreatment device. More specifically, embodiments of the presentinvention relate to an abrasive skin treatment device for removingcalluses and dead skin.

BACKGROUND

A callus is a thickened and/or hardened part of the skin, and can oftenbe found on hands and feet. Often, the callus is dead skin. Calluses canappear on feet due to rubbing from poorly fitting shoes or excessiveexercise, and can commonly be found on the heel, sides of the toes, orthe ball of the foot. Calluses can appear on hands from rubbing andpinching of skin that occurs while lifting heavy objects or from regularweight-lifting, and can commonly be found on the palms right below thefingers.

There are a variety of known methods of removing calluses, most of thesemethods involve scraping, shaving, or rubbing the calluses until thedead skin has been removed. Other methods include softening the callusby soaking the callus in warm water or using lotions or creams. Knowndevices used to remove calluses or dead skin, include pumice stones,foot files, and a variety of abrasive devices. Some of these devices areelectrically powered, and include a rotating or vibrating abrasive head.

The known abrasive devices have several drawbacks. Due to the shape ofthe abrasive or exfoliating surface, known devices are often unable toadjust to the contours or curvature of the surfaces where callusesgenerally occur. Accordingly, either the user often has to adjust theirgrip or move their wrist in order to optimize the angle at which theabrasive or exfoliating surface is contacting the callus or dead skin,or the user has to repeatedly cover the contoured areas several timeswith the abrasive device to effectively remove the callus or dead skin.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention can provide an abrasive skintreatment device. The abrasive skin treatment device can include ahandle portion, a head portion including an exfoliating element, and aunitary pivoting mechanism enabling relative movement between the handleportion and the head portion along at least two planes.

The unitary pivoting mechanism can be substantially spherical. The headportion can pivot about the unitary pivoting mechanism and relative tothe handle portion upon application of a force to at least one of thehead portion and the handle portion. The head portion can also beconfigured to pivot at the unitary pivoting mechanism and relative tothe handle portion in 360 degrees. Further, the head portion can includea light. The light can be a light emitting diode. The head portion canalso include a motor and power supply.

Additionally, the exfoliating element can be removably coupled to thehead portion. The exfoliating element can be also be substantiallycylindrical. The exfoliating element can also be rotatable coupled tothe head portion.

Another embodiment of the present invention can provide a unitarypivoting mechanism having a first end and a second end, a handle portioncoupled to the first end of the unitary pivoting mechanism such that thehandle portion can pivot relative to the unitary pivoting mechanismalong a first plane, and a head portion including an exfoliatingelement, the head portion coupled to the second end of the unitarypivoting mechanism such that the head portion can pivot relative to theunitary pivoting mechanism along a second plane, the first plane and thesecond plane being different.

The unitary pivoting mechanism can be substantially spherical. The headportion can pivot about the unitary pivoting mechanism and relative tothe handle portion upon application of a force to at least one of thehead portion and the handle portion. The head portion can also beconfigured to pivot at the unitary pivoting mechanism and relative tothe handle portion in 360 degrees. Further, the head portion can includea light. The light can be a light emitting diode. The head portion canalso include a motor and power supply.

Additionally, the exfoliating element can be removably coupled to thehead portion. The exfoliating element can be also be substantiallycylindrical. The exfoliating element can also be rotatable coupled tothe head portion.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention can provide an abrasiveskin treatment device including a head portion having an exfoliatingelement, and a light positioned and configured to illuminate a targetarea being treated by the exfoliating element.

According to certain exemplary embodiments, the light can be disposed inthe head portion. Further, the abrasive skin treatment device canfurther include a handle portion and a unitary pivoting mechanism, suchthat the unitary pivoting mechanism that enables relative movementbetween the handle portion and the head portion along at least twoplanes. The unitary pivoting mechanism can be substantially spherical.Additionally, the unitary pivoting mechanism can include a first end anda second end. The handle portion can be coupled to the first end of theunitary pivoting mechanism such that the handle portion can pivotrelative to the unitary pivoting mechanism along a first plane and thehead portion can be coupled to the second end of the unitary pivotingmechanism such that the head portion can pivot relative to the unitarypivoting mechanism along a second plane, the first plane and the secondplane being different. Additionally, the exfoliating element can beremovably coupled to the head portion, be substantially cylindrical,and/or rotatably coupled to the head portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention can be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3a is an illustration of an exemplary exfoliating element inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3b is an illustration of an exemplary exfoliating element inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4a is an illustration of an exemplary head portion in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4b is an illustration of an exemplary head portion in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a frontal illustration of an exemplary unitary pivotingmechanism in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exemplary unitary pivoting mechanism inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary unitary pivoting mechanism inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a skintreatment device. More specifically, embodiments of the presentinvention relate to a pivoting abrasive skin treatment device forremoving calluses and dead skin.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary skin treatment device 10 according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, skintreatment device 10 can include a handle portion 14, a head portion 11,an exfoliating element 12, and a unitary pivoting mechanism 13.Exfoliating element 12 can include an abrasive surface that is suitedfor removing a callus/hardened skin and the unitary pivoting mechanism13 can enable the head portion 11 to pivot relative to the handleportion 14. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, skin treatment device 10can optionally include switch 16 and a light 15. In operation, a usercan hold skin treatment device 10 via handle portion 14 and positionexfoliating element 12 against a callus/hardened skin or other targetarea the user desires to treat. In use, the user may turn skin treatmentdevice 10 ON via switch 16, thereby activating a motor which drivesexfoliating element 12. For example, the motor may cause exfoliatingelement 12 to move in a reciprocating pattern (e.g., linear, rotational)or in a rotational pattern at a rate sufficient to remove thecallus/hardened skin or otherwise treat the target area when the movingexfoliating element 12 is in contact with the target area. As the usertreats the callus/hardened skin or other target area, pivoting mechanism13 may enable relative movement between handle portion 14 and headportion 11 to conform and adjust to contours/irregularities of thesurface of the target area and the movement of skin treatment device 10introduced by the user.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, skin treatment device 10 includes exfoliatingelement 12. Exfoliating element 12 includes an abrasive surface and isarticulated by skin treatment device 10 so that the motion ofexfoliating element 12 against a callus/hardened skin, or other targetarea, can remove/exfoliate the skin from the target area. Exfoliatingelement 12 may be articulated by a motor of skin treatment device 10,and may be articulated in any manner. For example, exfoliating element12 may rotate, move back and forth linearly, move back and forth alongan arc, or move in some other reciprocating motion. Further, exfoliatingelement 12 may to releasably coupled so that exfoliating element 12 canbe replaced as the abrasive surface becomes worn through use. As shownin FIGS. 1-3, exfoliating element 12 may be substantially cylindrical.Additionally, exfoliating element 12 can include different materials anddifferent levels of abrasiveness/coarseness for different applications.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, head portion 11 secures and positionsexfoliating element 12. Head portion 11 can be configured to secure andposition exfoliating element 12 in any position or configuration thatmay be convenient and/or ergonomic for the operation of skin treatmentdevice 10. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, head portion 11 mayinclude two arms 22 and 23, which can include coupling elements forreceiving and coupling exfoliating element 12 there-between.Alternatively, head portion 11 can include any configuration to secureand position exfoliating element 12 for any desired orientation and modeof operation. According to certain embodiments of the present invention,exfoliating element 12 can be coupled to head portion 11 via couplingelements. Exfoliating element 12 may be fixedly coupled to the headportion 11. Alternatively, the exfoliating element 12 can be rotatablycoupled to the head portion 11. Exfoliating element 12 may be coupled tohead portion 11 via any suitable coupling element, such as, e.g., asaddle joint, a ball-and-socket joint, a tension spring, or the like.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show exfoliating element 12 and FIGS. 4a and 4b showexemplary head portion 11 coupling elements 40 and 41 according toembodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b ,exfoliating element 12 may be substantially cylindrical and may includecoupling elements 30 and 31 for coupling exfoliating element 12 to headportion 11 via coupling elements 40 and 41. For example, couplingelements 30 and 31 may engage coupling elements 40 and 41, therebyenabling exfoliating element 12 to be releasably coupled to head portion11. Alternatively, coupling elements 30 and 31 may engage couplingelements 40 and 41 to be permanently coupled to head portion 11.According to one embodiment, coupling elements 30 and 31 may includefeatures configured to engage complimentary features of couplingelements 40 and 41 on head portion 11. For example, coupling elements 30and 31 may include spring loaded projections configured to compress andengage recesses of coupling elements 40 and 41 formed in head portion11. Alternatively, coupling elements 30 and 31 may include recessesconfigured to receive projections of coupling elements 40 and 41included on head portion 11. Although FIGS. 3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b showexfoliating element 12 to be substantially cylindrical, couplingelements 30 and 31 to include projections, and coupling elements 40 and41 to include recesses, exfoliating element 12 and coupling elements 30,31, 40, and 41 can take any shape, form, or mechanism that facilitatesthe desired functionality.

As noted above, exfoliating element 12 can be removably coupled to headportion 11 to enable replacement of exfoliating element 12 and toprovide adaptability for different applications. Accordingly, asillustrated in FIG. 2, the head portion 11 can optionally houseincluding a release mechanism 17 by which to disengage the couplingexfoliating element 12 to head portion 11, thereby releasing exfoliatingelement 12 from head portion 11. For example, release mechanism 17 mayinclude a release button, which when activated, is configured todisengage coupling elements 30 and 31 from coupling elements 40 and 41,thereby disengaging exfoliating element 12 from the head portion 11. Therelease mechanism may be any of the mechanisms known in the art that canbe used to disengage exfoliating element 12 from the head portion 11,such as, e.g., a spring-loaded button, snap button, or the like.Additionally, according to embodiments of the present invention, thehead portion 11 can optionally house a light 15 to illuminate thecallus/hardened skin or target area. The light may be beneficial to auser because it can allow them to better view the target area. In apreferred embodiment the light 15 can include a light emitting diode.Additionally, the light 15 can be turned on/off using a switch 16.According to embodiments of the present invention, the switch 16 can bedisposed on the handle portion 14. Alternatively, the switch 16 can bedisposed on head portion 16 or unitary pivoting mechanism 13.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the handle portion 14can be shaped in any shape or size to comfortably fit in a user's hand.For example, the handle portion 14 may be cylindrical, cuboidal,ball-shaped, spherical, or the like. Additionally, the handle portion 14can be shaped in a variety of different sizes for different sized users.Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thehandle portion 14 may be contoured and designed to ergonomically fit ina user's hand to minimize discomfort and fatigue, and to maximizecontrol over the device. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,the handle portion 14 can have indentations 20 to accommodate the thumbsof a user, and a wider, oval base 21 to allow the device 10 to securelysit in the palm of a user.

Additionally, the handle portion 14 and/or the head portion 11 can housea motor assembly to electrically power the rotational or reciprocatingmotion of the exfoliating element 12. The motor assembly may includevarious components such as, e.g., gears, linkages, etc. that enable themotor to drive exfoliating element 12. The motor assembly may be poweredby any electrical power, for example, by battery power, by AC power viaa plug adapter, etc. The supplied electrical power may be housedanywhere within skin treatment device 10. According to embodiments ofthe present invention and as illustrated in the Figures, the handleportion 14 can house a switch 16 to turn the motor assembly on/off.Alternatively, switch 16 can be disposed on head portion 11 or unitarypivoting mechanism 13.

According to embodiments of the present invention, skin treatment device10 preferably includes unitary pivoting mechanism 13, which allowsrelative movement between handle portion 14 and head portion 11.According to certain exemplary embodiments, unitary pivoting mechanism13 can provide head portion 11 to be independently adjusted relative tothe handle portion 14 and head portion 11 can be adjustably fixed inthat position. The unitary pivoting mechanism 13 can provide the headportion 11 to pivot relative to the handle portion 14 when a force isapplied to either the handle portion 14 and/or the head portion 11. Theunitary pivoting mechanism 13 can enable the head portion 11 to pivot inone or more planes. For example, the unitary pivoting mechanism 13 canenable the head portion 11 to pivot relative to the handle portion 14 inone plane. Alternatively, the unitary pivoting mechanism 13 can enablethe head portion 11 to pivot relative to the handle portion 14 in twoplanes. Similarly, the unitary pivoting mechanism 13 can enable the headportion 11 to pivot relative to the handle portion 14 in three, four, orfive planes. Alternatively, the unitary pivoting mechanism 13 can enablethe head portion 11 to pivot relative to the handle portion 14 in 360degrees.

Unitary pivoting mechanism 13 can be any mechanism by which the relativemotion between the handle portion 14 and head portion 11 can beprovided. For example, the unitary pivoting mechanism 13 can beball-shaped or substantially spherical.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the unitary pivotingmechanism 13 can be substantially enclosed within the handle portion 14and/or head portion 11 so that at least a portion of unitary pivotingmechanism 13 is substantially hidden from user's view. Alternatively,unitary pivoting mechanism 13 can include any mechanism that may enableshead portion 11 to pivot relative to handle portion 14, including, e.g.,a saddle joint, a ball-and-socket joint, a tension spring, or the like.The multiple planes of movement can also be provided via any mechanism.For example, unitary pivoting mechanism 13 can include a first end 18and a second end 19. The first end may be coupled to head portion 11 andmay provide relative motion between unitary pivoting mechanism 13 andhead portion 11 along a first plane while being fixed relative alongother planes. Similarly, the second end may be coupled to handle portion14 and may provide relative motion between unitary pivoting mechanism 13and handle portion 14 along a second plane while being fixed relativealong other planes. Further, the first plane and the second plane may bedifferent, thus enabling relative movement in at least the first andsecond planes. This pivoting mechanism can be beneficial where thecallus/hardened skin or the target area to be treated is contoured orhas an irregular surface. The pivoting mechanism can also be beneficialwhere it can enable consistent contact with the callus/hardened in viewof the user moving skin treatment device 10.

FIGS. 5-7 show unitary pivoting mechanism 13 according to an embodimentof the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, unitary pivotingmechanism 13 may include first end 18 having a coupling mechanism 50 andsecond end having coupling mechanism 51. Coupling mechanisms 50 and 51may enable head portion 11 and handle portion 14 to be coupled tounitary pivoting mechanism 13 and may also define a range of motion orpivoting between unitary pivoting mechanism 13 and head portion 11 andhandle portion 14. For example, coupling mechanisms 50 and 51 mayinclude elongated openings or recesses which engage with complimentaryfeatures of head portion 11 and handle portion 14, respectively, andfacilitate pivoting between unitary pivoting mechanism 13 and headportion 11 and handle portion 14. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and6, coupling mechanism 50 may include a substantially horizontal openingor recess, which can enable head portion 11, which is coupled to unitarypivoting mechanism 13 via coupling mechanism 50, to pivot relative tounitary pivoting mechanism 13 horizontally. Similarly, couplingmechanism 51 may include a substantially vertical opening or recess,which can enable handle portion 14, which is coupled to unitary pivotingmechanism 13 via coupling mechanism 51, to pivot relative to unitarypivoting mechanism 13 vertically. Accordingly, the size, shape, andorientation of coupling mechanisms 50 and 51 may dictate the type, size,and range of motion between unitary pivoting mechanism 13 and headportion 11 and handle portion 14. As shown in FIG. 6, couplingmechanisms 50 and 51 can be substantially orthogonal to one another.Alternatively, coupling mechanisms 50 and 51 can be oriented in variousangles depending on the pivoting motion that is desired. Accordingly,coupling mechanisms 50 and 51 can include any shape, size, orientation,or mechanism that enables the desired relative motion between unitarypivoting mechanism 13 and head portion 11 and handle portion 14.

The embodiments and examples shown above are illustrative, and manyvariations can be introduced to them without departing from the spiritof the disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims. For example,elements and/or features of different illustrative and exemplaryembodiments herein may be combined with each other and/or substitutedwith each other within the scope of the disclosure. For a betterunderstanding of the disclosure, reference should be had to theaccompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there isillustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. An abrasive skin treatment device comprising: a unitary pivoting mechanism having a first end and a second end; a handle portion coupled to the first end of the unitary pivoting mechanism such that the handle portion can pivot relative to the unitary pivoting mechanism along a first plane; and a head portion including an exfoliating element, the head portion coupled to the second end of the unitary pivoting mechanism such that the head portion can pivot relative to the unitary pivoting mechanism along a second plane, the first plane and the second plane being different.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the unitary pivoting mechanism is substantially spherical.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the head portion includes a light.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the light includes a light emitting diode.
 15. The device of claim 11, wherein the exfoliating element is removably coupled to the head portion.
 16. The device of claim 11, wherein the exfoliating element is rotatably coupled to the head portion.
 17. The device of claim 11, further comprising a motor and power supply.
 18. The device of claim 11, wherein the head portion pivots about the unitary pivoting mechanism relative to the handle portion upon application of a force to at least one of the head portion and the handle portion.
 19. The device of claim 11, wherein the exfoliating element is substantially cylindrical. 20-26. (canceled)
 27. The device of claim 11, wherein the unitary pivoting mechanism substantially prevents the handle portion from pivoting relative to the unitary pivoting mechanism along the second plane.
 28. The device of claim 11, wherein the unitary pivoting mechanism substantially prevents the head portion from pivoting relative to the unitary pivoting mechanism along the first plane. 